Closing Date: 21st November, 2025

Description:

Prosecutor (Assistant City Attorney I/II). The Prosecution division of the Thornton City Attorney's office prosecutes misdemeanor, traffic, juvenile, and code violations in Thornton Municipal Court. We are adding a third prosecutor to join two experienced prosecutors and two support staff in managing an increasing caseload. In this role, you'll participate in all phases of prosecution, from case assessment and trial preparation to courtroom advocacy, while benefiting from mentorship and professional development opportunities. This position offers the chance to make a real impact, addressing complex social issues and developing holistic responses. Please note that this in-person position will staff a municipal court docket 7:30 am through 5:30 pm, Monday through Thursday.

Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from level I or, when filled from the outside, require prior directly related experience.

Assistant City Attorney I:
Under direction, this is the entry-level class in the Assistant City Attorney series. Incumbents assigned to this class are expected to perform the full range of work assigned to this class and to work with some independence and initiative. Employees receive instruction or assistance as appropriate to skill and experience level.

Assistant City Attorney II:
Under general direction, this is the journey-level position in the Assistant City Attorney series, exercising independent judgment and initiative. May provide some guidance to Assistant City Attorney I or other office support staff.

Essential Functions:
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Provides legal assistance to or represents City Council, City boards, authorities, and commissions, and City departments as directed.

Drafts legal opinions at the request of the City Attorney; prepares and reviews contracts, deeds, pleadings, ordinances, leases and other legal documents; reviews documents presented to the City by outside agencies.

Conducts legal research on all issues related to civil litigation and criminal municipal prosecution, including pretrial procedures and trials; advises on a variety of legal issues. Prepares motions and responses, prepares legal briefs and drafts legal opinions and drafts ordinances, as necessary. Investigates or monitors claims against the City and initiates or recommends appropriate legal action.

Maintains a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances related to City operations. Provides staff assistance to the City Attorney.

Participates in the development of the department's work plan; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.

Provides legal representation on various administrative hearings and code enforcement such as pre-abatement hearings, blight hearings, environmental performance standard hearings, pre-tow hearings, false alarm fee hearings, waste water violation and suspension of water hearings.

Develops effective working relationships with City employees in the City Attorney's Office, Municipal Court, Police department, City Development department and other departments of the City.

Interprets charter, code, ordinances, resolutions and City policies in response to citizen inquiries. Meets with citizens and businesses to explain policies and compliance with the law, and to resolve non-compliance issues.

May provide legal advice regarding purchase, sale or trade of water rights; property owned by City including leasing, easements, mineral rights issues, and evictions; the impact of proposed regulations or legislation.

May assign work activities and projects to paralegal staff. May provide input on employee performance objectives.

May develop, provide or coordinate training for City employees.

May work extended hours due to litigation, trials or participation in meetings or other board, authority and commission meetings that occur in the evening, or in other functions as assigned.

May supervise and/or direct the activities of assigned staff.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

Assistant City Attorney I:
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. One year of experience in municipal government law is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Assistant City Attorney II:
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. Four years' progressively responsible experience in the active practice of law is required. Experience relevant to the needs of the City Attorney office preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Active Colorado license to practice law.

May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely matter as the job requires.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the City of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and the City of Thornton Charter and Code.
Knowledge of available resources for conducting legal research including those found in hard print and via electronic mediums.
Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and statutes governing the practice of law in the State of Colorado and the City, including City of Thornton Charter and Code, Colorado Revised Statutes, U.S. Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Colorado case law, U.S. and Colorado Constitution, Rules of Procedure for Adams County Court, State of Colorado, and the 10th Circuit Federal Court.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of consensus-building and conflict resolution.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training.
Knowledge of municipal, water, civil, constitutional, administrative and criminal law and regulations.
Skill in conducting legal research and preparing legal opinions.
Skill in analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of City goals and objectives.
Skill in reviewing, analyzing and preparing a wide variety of legal documents.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, presentation, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, management, elected officials, board members and the general public.
Ability to read, analyze, interpret common legal, scientific and technical materials, financial reports, and legal documents and clearly explain policies and the law to a variety of constituents.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively with employees, management, City Council, board members and the general public.
Ability to write, speak, and effectively present legal arguments and legal documents to courts, administrative agencies, city employees, public groups, and city boards.
Ability to negotiate resolutions to complex legal issues.
Ability to represent the City effectively in judicial and administrative proceedings and on a variety of legal matters.
Ability to use independent judgment when making legal decisions for assigned litigation.
Ability to present sound legal arguments on behalf of the City.
Ability to effectively monitor proposed state and federal legislation and prepare legislation impact reports.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

While performing the essential duties of the job, the employee is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently to constantly lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity. The employee is subject to both inside and outside conditions.
The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer.